New Members - Please Introduce Yourself!

[GrayFal]

Originally Posted by rkpindia

I know nothing about timeshares but the Marriott vacation club idea has been in my head for 1-2 years. As a young family with kids ages 10,7,4 we want to do more traveling but need the 2 bedroom setup. Hotel rooms are getting cramped. We can afford to purchase some on the higher end and trade downhill (i.e. Kauai to Florida). we live on the east coast and will be more likely to use beach resorts than ski resorts. We like the Europe availability that Marriott has for when the kids are older. i not sure we would use points, we would just vacation a different year at a different place. My concern is how to insure that we can get the trades in the Marriott system we want. We would book an average of 8 months in advance but could do 12-14 if necessary. Any advice on how to start, resale versus direct from Marriott. Which location to "buy" at. again i don't mind buying high and trading down. I just don't want the hassle of fighting to get say a week in Feb in st Kitts if we book in July the year before or is that not long enough

Hello and welcome to TS4Ms

You are asking LOTS of great questions regarding Marriott and seem to want to buy for the right reasons...
Please visit our Marriott forums - read what is there and ask away!
Marriott - Timeshare Forums

[GrayFal]

Originally Posted by Re/Max Town Centre

New Member- interested in sharing and learning about timeshares!

Welcome Re/Max.

I see from all the classified ads that you have placed that you sell timeshares.
It is a good idea for you to learn what you are selling to people.

[GrayFal]

Originally Posted by chk57

Sorry...I actually already posted but now introducing myself...so rude.

The wife and I bought a timeshare this weekend at the GrandView in Las Vegas. We have 7 days to bail and we probably will since we bought from developer and if there is one commonality about posts regarding purchasing a timeshare...it is to NOT buy from developer.

From what I've seen, this forum looks awesome. We both love to travel and I see value in getting a timeshare. I also feel in certain ways...it would MAKE US travel instead of just putting stuff off to the next year...which easily gets put off to the next year, etc.

Thanks in advance for answering my noob questions.

Hi chk and Welcome to TS4Ms

I LOVE TSing and own MANY weeks - most that were bought on the resale market.
If you are still withing your period to rescind - I recommend you do it....and then come back and let us help you purchase on the resale market.

If it is past the time to cancel - we will be happy to help you learn how to use your ownership.....

[GrayFal]

Originally Posted by James1975NY

Jim -

I have been in the timeshare industry for 9.5 years (7 of which was working for Starwood f/k/a Vistana Management) in the Owner Services department...last two years, I managed their call center. Great experience. I wanted to get into real estate because I loved working with people but the call center environment was taking years off of my life. Love the people I worked with there.

Got my real estate license a little over two years ago (great timing!) and ultimately I am not specializing in selling timeshare on the resale market. I am a huge proponent of timeshare and look forward to sharing my experiences and knowledge of the industry to help anyone make an informed decision.

I don't own timeshare yet but I have my eyes set on Key West!

Hi Jim - and Welcome to TS forums

I know you are enjoying those 3 heavenly beds

We always welcome a member with inside knowledge of a system - it adds a much needed perspective to our board.

[GrayFal]

Originally Posted by rsfrid

I am new here. I am not new to timeshares or even to forums, but new to this guy. I am a premiere member of BlueGreen and not, necessarily a satisfied member. I have made many payments and made several trips, but all were way more expensive than if done other ways. I'm here to see what you'all have to say and see if there is any feasible way to get from under this albitross.

Hi and Welcome to TS4Ms.....

We have very knowledgeable BG owners that particiapte on this board.....
I hope they will be able to help u maximize your ownership.


Bluegreen Resorts - Timeshare Forums

[GrayFal]

Originally Posted by khdem

My name is Kay...I am now waiting on my purchases of Bluegreen points from Boca Jim and Ebay to finalize...should have points within a month. I can hardly wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Kay

Welcome Kay.....you are getting into TSing with the help of an expert....

[GrayFal]

Originally Posted by hulakaren

Hi,
My name is Karen and my DH and I are currently in the process of buying a Hyatt resale. Just waiting in anticipation! This will be our first TS. We never thought we were timeshare people at all, but look at us now!

Welcome Karen - you have made a good choice with Hyatt Points resale - one of our members owns with them and has enjoyed great flexibility with her travels.

[SweeetNess]

Hello All,
I am new to this group and I am debating whether to buy a timeshare. I travel about 3 times a year and was wondering if anyone has any suggestions as far as a good deal or location. I would want caribbean or northwest USA. I have 2 kids, 12 and 14 who LOVE the beach! Any ideas?

[longtimer]

Hi, My husband and I bought into a timeshare the old-fashioned way. We purchased through a sales ptich and, unfortunately, spent a lot of money for it. That was more than 15 years ago - before the Internet could provide so much useful information. We were an owner with EPIC, which, I didn't know, was having financial problems. When we were bought by Sunterra, a whole new world was opened for us. We absolutely love timesharing now. People complain about the maintenance fees. But compared to the cost of buying enough rooms to sleep 8 to 10 people for a week (we usually take family and friends with us) - and have cooking and living facilities - it's still quite a bargain. We are now owned by Diamond Resorts. I have been cautious about recommending DRI to others because availability seems to be a big problem right now. I managed to get a week in Florida for next summer because I made the reservation as soon as I was able to book. But many sites already have no availability. I haven't tried to exchange with II. There hasn't been a need yet. This forum is the best one around. I have been on several others, but this seems to be the most active. Diamond has its own forum, but many of the comments don't get posted because they are so negative. DRI recently updated the web reservations section of their website, which was a tremendous improvement. But I think availability is still a problem. I guess I'm lucky enough to be able to plan far enough ahead that the problem hasn't affected me yet. I would like to eventually buy a timeshare resale in the Poconos. I live in PA and would love to have a place that's a little closer for a get away. I will be eagerly looking for advice and recommendations from others in this forum. THANKS SO MUCH FOR THIS SERVICE!!!!!!

[emidsouth]

Originally Posted by SweeetNess

Hello All,
I am new to this group and I am debating whether to buy a timeshare. I travel about 3 times a year and was wondering if anyone has any suggestions as far as a good deal or location. I would want caribbean or northwest USA. I have 2 kids, 12 and 14 who LOVE the beach! Any ideas?

Hello~
I'm new to this site and saw your question. If you buy timeshare in the Caribbean it is a right to use property instead of deeded and many times has a higher maintenance fee than the U.S. RCI points is good to buy into as well as other RCI or II listings. I would suggest buying a Floating week if you travel at different times of the year. I work for a timeshare resale company and get asked this question alot.
Regards,
Angela Watson